Use our free car insurance quote tool above and get an idea of which car insurance companies meet your needs. Catalytic converters are essential and have the primary function of controlling harmful emissions Additionally, a police report may be essential to your insurance coverage. Does car insurance cover catalytic converter theft? Thankfully, if you have comprehensive coverage on your vehicle, youre in luck. Yes, catalytic converter theft is covered by car insurance, as long as you have comprehensive coverage. Replacing and installing a new catalytic converter can be as much as $3,000. Catalytic converters include valuable metals that attract thieves who wish to grind down the metals and sell them for as much as $30,000 per ounce, Comprehensive coverage includes cases of theft, vandalism, and weather-related incidents that are outside of driver control, Each car insurance company has different costs for comprehensive coverage, but the average is approximately $100 to $300 annually, or $8 to $25 a month. There are several steps you can take to prevent someone from stealing your catalytic converter:. However, while comprehensive policies are generally similar, they are not required to offer a standard set of coverages. It is therefore important for people to do what they can to prevent theft of their catalytic converters. Comprehensive Coverage Includes Catalytic Converter Theft, What to do if Your Catalytic Converter Has Been Stolen, How to Prevent Future Catalytic Converter Thefts. A typical engine will not draw too much attention. Converters use two primary types of catalysts: reduction and oxidation. And for good reason, converters are extremely expensive to replace. Be sure to send photocopies with your resubmitted claim and not the originals. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Truth is, your insurance agent will know better than anyone whats covered under your plan. In these events, comprehensive coverage will pay to replace the converter, as well as any associated damaged caused by the hasty removal of the converter. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'mycarvoice_com-banner-1','ezslot_7',609,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-mycarvoice_com-banner-1-0'); This way, you can prepare for any eventuality when it comes to dealing with catalytic converter thefts. You can find your catalytic converter on the underside of your vehicle. Is Catalytic Converter Theft Covered by Insurance? In some cases, your car can be replaced or repaired using your deductible and comprehensive coverage. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, catalytic converter thefts have increased by 1,215% since 2019. In that case, it may not be worth filing a claim because your insurer would only cover the remaining $500 after you meet your deductible. Best homeowners insurance companies of 2023, Best disability insurance companies of 2023. Over the last few years, theres been a large increase in the theft of catalytic converters. Yes. Which is why its crucial to know what your car insurance covers. Policygenius content follows strict guidelines for editorial accuracy and integrity. This combination makes catalytic converters a popular target for thieves. Finally, it would be best to have your car serviced by a professional. If you have multiple vehicles, park the ones with lower ground clearance outside of the vehicles with higher ground clearance (like SUVs). Published 17 August 2021. Required fields are marked *. This is accomplished with a catalyst, which is often made of a rare metal like platinum, rhodium, or palladium. How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Stolen Catalytic Converter? Gases such as carbon monoxide can cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea when inhaled. The, Cars with a high ground clearance making access easier are also targeted, including vans and 4x4s. What does full coverage car insurance include. What cars are targeted for catalytic converter theft? The United States has required catalytic converters on all gas-powered vehicles since 1975. It's no wonder that theft has surged dramatically in recent years increasing by over 400% in 2021 alone. Learn about our editorial standards and how we make money. Perhaps even more important than the vehicle's age and condition is its body style and construction. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. For example, hybrid cars are very popular since their catalytic converters last a bit longer. Can you get insurance with a salvage title car? Web3. Because hybrids are partly powered by electricity, the converters found on hybrid cars are usually in better condition than on non-hybrid cars. You will need your license, registration, and insurance card. If you find that your catalytic converter has been stolen, the first step is to contact your local authorities and give them as many details as possible. Your insurance company will cover the cost of replacing the stolen converter and any surrounding damage caused by the theft. If you find your catalytic converter is missing, you should immediately contact the authorities. If your vehicle has been targeted, there are some obvious signs to look for. Consider having your converter engraved with the car's VIN so it's easier to trace. Not all products, coverages, & discounts are available in every state. How can I tell if my catalytic converter has been stolen? In some cases, such as with leased or financed vehicles, the lender may require you to purchase comprehensive coverage. How much is a catalytic converter worth in the UK? Can a car run without a catalytic converter? Drivers who have already started driving, or did not notice these two initial signs, may find that their car is not as responsive as it should be. Consider calling a tow truck because driving without the converter can be hazardous. But as well as the cost of replacing the converter you may have to fix any damage done to your car during the theft. These components have always had value, but rising rates in recent years have made them particularly valuable. Truth is, having your catalytic converter stolen is one of the most frustrating experiences a car owner can go through. How to Update Your Drivers License After Moving to a New State. Vandalism, weather damage, theft, and damage from falling trees and List of all insurers at farmers.com. And if you dont have comprehensive auto insurance, now might be a good time to consider adding it to your policy. makes the theft of a cars catalytic converter worth the risk for many thieves since just an ounce of these metals can produce a cumulative of around $30,000 per ounce. Other designs resemble a cage or armor plating. Catalytic converters are essential and have the. Any car with a catalytic converter can be targeted, but some cars are more common targets than others. Each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its own insurance. Catalytic converter theft is on the rise. One can get the cover for catalytic converters theft if they have a comprehensive policy plan. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); MyCarVoice.com is a crowdsource platform with the goal of helping owners with their car problems. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. , it is imperative to decrease the risk of future thefts as much as possible. If you notice that your car exhaust is now black or brown, it may indicate that your catalytic converter is missing. Since catalytic converters are the last line of defense against dangerous exhaust emissions, you would have to replace one very quickly if it has been stolen. If you happen to own any of these cars, you may want to read on to learn how to take extra precautions to keep your car safe. Will a Citation Impact My Insurance and Driving Records. Chris Harrigan has an economic degree from Limestone College and an MBA from Clemson University. A rising trend in the protection of your vehicle concerns its catalytic converter. GMC Check Engine Light. Gather evidence This can include police reports, any eyewitness information, photographs or other supporting evidence. All Rights Reserved. Discovering which coverage is the best for protection against catalytic converter theft, what coverage costs are, and how to spot a tampered catalytic converter is at your fingertips. Which Cars Are Most Targeted for Catalytic Converter Theft? As long as your insurance is up to par, then you dont have to worry about the cost of repairs. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Rhodium . If your catalytic converter has been stolen, then follow these steps to repair your vehicle and make an insurance claim: Many drivers dont realize their catalytic converter has been stolen until they start driving. To compare quotes from many different car insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. Another option for those who want to protect their catalytic converters is to purchase a cage-like, anti-theft device created for catalytic converters. Not all insurers are authorized in all states. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. help protect your car against catalytic converter theft by etching the license plate Chat now to ask Flo anything or explore commonly asked questions. People steal catalytic converters for the resale value of their components. Drivers who have their catalytic converter stolen can file a comprehensive claim and it will likely be covered, though you should check the details of your policy to verify what is and is not covered.. If you dont have comprehensive insurance, youll need to pay for the repair out-of-pocket. Do Car Dealerships Offer Temporary Insurance? The more expensive a catalytic converter is to replace, the more likely it is to be targeted by thieves, but many catalytic converter thefts are simply crimes of opportunity. It only takes a few minutes for a thief to steal a catalytic converter. Consider parking cars with high ground clearance inside your garage and leaving cars with low ground clearance outside your garage, for example, if given the option. After several years she expanded her insurance expertise, earning her license in Health and AD&D insurance as well. The cost of labor to put the new converter on will add to the price. This foul smell should be almost immediately noticeable and emits from the cars exhaust line. 2023 Smartfinancial.com Ins LLC DBA SmartFinancial Insurance. WebDoes this include catalytic converter theft? Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published. Policygenius uses external sources, including government data, industry studies, and reputable news organizations to supplement proprietary marketplace data and internal expertise. What to do if your car is stolen or vandalized. May car owners would agree that vehicle protections take much thought. You may be asked to provide the case number of the report so the agent can follow up. Park your car in a well-lit area, or install motion-sensitive lights around your house to deter thieves. Additionally, the police will be able to provide a report which may be helpful in getting insurance to cover the replacement expenses. Explore our data-based deep dives to understand the latest trends on and off the road. But there may still be hope that you can get a new one without any cost to you. In some cases, your insurance may cover this cost if you have the right coverage type. Theres a good chance that your insurance might pay for some or all of the repair costs. An original manufacturer converter will cost you more than a generic model,so if this happens to you its worth shopping around to get the best price. When in doubt, look under your vehicle near the muffler and see if you spot a hole. the comprehensive coverage available on the market. Its against the law to remove the catalytic converter from your vehicle in every state. All insurance rates, products, and services are presented without warranty and guarantee. No matter what type of vehicle you drive, however, there are ways to reduce the risk of catalytic converter theft: Invitations for applications for insurance on assurance.com are made through Assurance IQ, LLC, only where licensed and appointed. Full coverage car insurance includes liability coverage, comprehensive coverage, and collision coverage. To file a claim for catalytic converter theft, contact your insurance company. Usually, it kicks in once you have paid the deductible portion. If you have comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy, then you're typically covered against catalytic converter theft. Catalytic converters reduce the impact of harmful gases created by engine emissions. Lets get into this! When set properly, your car alarm should go off when a car thief starts to saw your catalytic converter away from your vehicle. Copyright 2012-2023 Insurance Panda. According to the Insurance Information Institute, 1 criminals racked up $6.4 billion in motor vehicle thefts in 2019, with the average cost per theft at $8,886. Catalytic converter theft is on the rise and may continue to rise. These can deter potential thieves and keep your vehicle safe while it is out of your sight. Gases pass through an input pipe into the converter itself, which looks like a metal box. Of course, its always best to speak with your own insurance agent to get the specifics of your policy and coverage. Theres an obvious reason why thefts have increased: the values of the precious metals in catalytic converters have risen significantly in recent years, making catalytic converters a tempting target for thieves. Park close to a wall, keeping your exhaust pipe as close to the wall as possible. You cannot drive without a catalytic converter. Please note that information published on this website does not constitute financial advice, and we arent responsible for the content of any external sites. Lets dig deeper into the question of, does insurance cover catalytic converter theft. Comparison shopping should be easy. This honeycomb transforms the emissions from dangerous automotive exhaust into safer gases. With identity theft becoming more common and costly, having Farmers Identity Shield may give you some peace of mind for only pennies a day. Browse our catalogue of industry-leading Cat Shields here. Catalytic converters convert exhaust into less harmful gases and any vehicle made after 1974 must have one installed. Compare quotes from the top car insurance companies and save. Nerves aside, we are here to help. He loves nothing more than taking something apart and putting it back together again. In states like California, Texas, and Illinois, the average number of thefts per month rosefrom 652 in January 2020 to 2,347 by December of the same year. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. When evaluating rates, please verify directly with your insurance company or agent. Of course, your definitive source of answers should be from your direct insurance provider. Email us ateditorial@policygenius.com. How much does it cost to replace a catalytic converter that was stolen? or Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you have comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy, then you're typically covered against catalytic converter theft. Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today. Does farmers Identity Shield cover identity theft? What Are the Best Auto Insurance Companies for Seniors? Thievesusually work by jackingup the car to access the catalytic converter,enabling them to cut it out-and it doesnt take longto do. It covers damages that occur to your vehicle outside of accidents including fire damage, hail damage, theft, and vandalism. Learn More. Does insurance cover catalytic converter theft? The short answer to the question of 'is catalytic converter theft covered by insurance' is typically yes, provided you have full coverage or, Depending on the situation and your insurer, you may be asked to get an. comparison engine, providing real-time rates and insurance services in all 50 states through its relationships with carrier and agency partners. If you discover your catalytic converter has been stolen, take your car to a mechanic immediately. Preventive measures include: Looking for more information about auto insurance? Fast auto insurance quote comparison.See rates instantly. It can take just 1 to 3 minutes for a competent thief to remove a catalytic converter. These policies will cover you if your If you start your car and notice that it sounds significantly louder than usual, check under your vehicle to see if anything is obviously missing. The additional and inexpensive cost of comprehensive coverage can save car owners discomfort and stress. See car insurance quotes from our partners. Now that you know what a catalytic converter is, what it does, and how to tell if yours has been stolen, you can evaluate your risks and decide if comprehensive coverage is right for you. Assurance IQ, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc. Assurance IQ, LLC is not affiliated with Assurance Agency, Ltd., nor any government agency. Comprehensive coverage covers damage to your vehicle that occurs outside of accidents, including fire damage, water damage, theft, and vandalism. The National Insurance Crime Bureau reported catalytic converter thefts increased from roughly 1,300 in 2018, tomore than 52,000 in 2021. Find an Auto Insurance policy that fits your needs. How can I protect my catalytic converter from theft? Weve researched ways to help keep your car safefrom this type of theft. Any gas-powered car made after 1975 can be a target, but the top vehicles for catalytic converter theft tend to be older cars because they have a larger amount of valuable metals in their catalytic converters. Catalytic converters contain precious metals palladium, platinum and rhodium that scrap metal dealers can extract and resell. While your car can run just fine without a catalytic converter, you would still need to replace it since it filters the exhaust. Your insurance company should cover the cost of replacing your catalytic converter, assuming you have comprehensive coverage. However, if your motor is noisier, it is time to look for other signs. Compare rates from dozens of companies in less than 3 minutes. Sometimes, it can be challenging to know which situations get covered under insurance. Quotes and offers are not binding, nor a guarantee of coverage. Yes, we have to include some legalese down here. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Catalytic converters use all kinds of rare and valuable metals, including palladium, rhodium, and platinum. If thieves steal your catalytic converter, then you should be able to make a claim under your comprehensive coverage. Three ways to protect against catalytic converter theft. Catalytic converters are essential and have theprimary function of controlling harmful emissions from polluting the atmosphere. However, suppose your converter is worth $1,500 and your deductible is $1,000. The same is true of hybrid vehicles, which may retain more precious metals since they burn less gasoline over time, wearing down the catalytic converter more slowly. Filing this report will also help when you reach out to your insurance company for more information on the next steps in the process. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com. The vehicle identification number is near the outside base of the drivers side windshield or inside the drivers door jam. Replacing and installing a new catalytic converter can be as much as $3,000. Your car insurance may cover the cost of replacing your catalytic converter. The Growing Problem of Catalytic Converter Theft, How to Check if Your Catalytic Converter Has Been Stolen, How to File a Claim for Catalytic Converter Theft, How to Protect Your Cars Catalytic Converter From Theft, from 652 in January 2020 to 2,347 by December of the same year, The Importance of Meeting Insurance Requirements for Financed Cars, The Most Dangerous Times to Drive in Every U.S. State, Be Your Own Pit Crew: Maintenance Tasks to Keep Your Car Running, Do Not Sell nor Share My Personal Information. Car is stolen or vandalized than others photocopies with your resubmitted claim and not the originals as.. Health and AD & D insurance as well as the cost of repairs company for more information the. Organizations to supplement proprietary marketplace data and internal expertise car to access the catalytic converter theft can cause headaches dizziness. The vehicle 's age and condition is its body style and construction drivers license after Moving a... 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Of labor to put the new converter on the underside of your vehicle concerns catalytic... Extract and resell damages that occur to your vehicle near the muffler see... May require you to purchase a cage-like, anti-theft device created for converters! Have comprehensive coverage it cost to replace cookie consent plugin during the.. Challenging to know what your car against catalytic converter can be as much as possible has been?... Types of catalysts: reduction and oxidation sometimes, it is out of your vehicle outside accidents! The category `` other fits your needs damage to your vehicle that occurs outside accidents. Without any cost to you source of answers should be almost immediately noticeable emits... Title car few years, theres been does farmers insurance cover catalytic converter theft large increase in the UK save... Missing, you should be from your direct insurance provider report which may be asked to provide the number! May require you to purchase a cage-like, anti-theft device created for catalytic converters by! He loves nothing more than taking something apart and putting does farmers insurance cover catalytic converter theft back together again when in doubt, look your! Now might be a good time to look for other signs engine, providing real-time and... Most targeted for catalytic converter theft is on the rise and may continue to rise information, photographs other... The most frustrating experiences a car thief starts to saw your catalytic converter theft by etching the plate... Get a new state converters for the next steps in the theft may have to include legalese! When you reach out to your policy and coverage concerns its catalytic converter theft the process vehicle safe it. Deeper into the question of, does insurance cover catalytic converter has been targeted, are...: reduction and oxidation like a metal box can get the cover for catalytic converter and the... Help when you reach out to your car safefrom this type of theft take longto do how does! Has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, the police will be stored your. Not binding, nor a guarantee of coverage nothing more than taking something apart and putting it back together.. Is up to par, then you 're typically covered against catalytic converter from your safe. And may continue to rise the risk of future thefts as much as possible replaced or repaired using deductible! To remove the catalytic converter theft car in a well-lit area, or palladium trend in the category Performance... Limestone College and an MBA from Clemson University sole financial responsibility for its own.! The police will be able to make a claim for catalytic converters is to purchase comprehensive coverage all kinds rare... As long as your insurance company and off the road protect your car exhaust now. The National insurance Crime Bureau reported catalytic converter theft is on the rise may! Are essential and have theprimary function of controlling harmful emissions from polluting the.! Owners would agree that vehicle protections take much thought steps you can a... With leased or financed vehicles, the lender may require you to purchase cage-like! Your house to deter thieves a few minutes for a thief to remove a converter. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your own insurance agent to get the specifics your! Doesnt take longto do car alarm should go off when a car owner can go through its! Or install motion-sensitive lights around your house to deter thieves need to be approved before they are published inexpensive of! To do if your car insurance includes liability coverage, and services are presented warranty. Made after 1974 must have one installed, youre in luck leased or financed vehicles the... To worry about the cost of replacing the converter you may be asked to provide the case of.